Court terms in plain English

General information only. Court procedures can vary, and this site does not provide legal advice.

Appeal

Asking a higher court to review what happened in a lower court. A district court judgment is appealed to circuit court.See also: Trial de novo

Arraignment

The court appearance where a person is formally told what they are charged with and enters a plea.See also: Plea

Bench trial

A trial where the judge, rather than a jury, hears the evidence and decides the outcome. District court criminal trials are generally bench trials.

Beyond a reasonable doubt

The standard of proof the State must meet to convict someone of a criminal offense. It is the highest standard used in court.

Bond

Money or conditions used to make sure a person comes back to court while their case is pending. Bond is not a punishment and does not mean the case has been decided.

Continuance

Moving a court date to a later date.

Court costs

Amounts added to a case by law, separate from any fine. What applies depends on the offense and the court.See also: Fine

Discovery

The process by which the defense receives the evidence in the State's case, according to the rules that govern that exchange.

Dismissal

The court ends the charge, and it is no longer pending.

Failure to appear

Not showing up for a required court date. It can lead to additional consequences, including a warrant.See also: Warrant

Fine

Money ordered as a penalty for an offense, within the range the law allows for that offense.See also: Court costs

Guilty

A plea admitting the offense, or a finding by the judge that the State proved the offense.

No contest (nolo contendere)

A plea in which a person does not contest the charge. Whether it is available depends on the court and the offense.

Nolle prosequi (nolle pros)

A formal statement by the prosecutor that they are not pursuing the charge at this time.

Not guilty

A plea denying the charge, or a finding that the State did not prove it. A not-guilty plea is how a case moves toward trial.

Plea

A person's formal answer to a charge — typically guilty, not guilty, or in some circumstances no contest.

Plea and discovery docket

A court date set aside for reviewing evidence and discussing whether a case can resolve without trial. This is a local docket label used by some courts as part of case management, not a statewide legal stage that every Arkansas case must pass through.

Probable cause

A legal standard requiring enough facts to reasonably believe an offense occurred and that a particular person committed it. It is a lower standard than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.See also: Beyond a reasonable doubt

Probation

A period of supervision with conditions a person must follow, instead of or in addition to other penalties.See also: Suspended sentence

Sentencing

The stage where the judge imposes the penalty allowed by law after a guilty plea or a finding of guilt.

Subpoena

A court order requiring someone to appear, or to bring documents or other items.

Suspended sentence

A sentence the court does not require a person to serve, so long as they comply with the conditions the court sets.See also: Probation

Trial de novo

A fresh trial in the higher court rather than a review of a transcript. Appeals from district court to circuit court can involve a trial de novo.See also: Appeal

Warrant

A court order authorizing an arrest, or authorizing a search. A judge decides whether to issue one.

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